Method of and apparatus for opening ampoules



Dec. 10, 1940.

R. E. MAXWELL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR OPENING AMPOULES Filed Jan.31, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY Dec. 10, 1940. R. E. MAXWELLMETHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR OPENING AMPOULES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan.31, 1939 ATTORN EY Patented Dec. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICERalph E. Maxwell, Modesto, Calif.

Application January 31, 1939, Serial No. 253,856

Claims.

This invention relates to medical equipment and more particularly refersto improvements in devices for cutting glass ampoules of the type widelyused as containers for medical prepara-\ tions.

An ampoule is a cylindrical glass container, having a sealed elongatedneck which is broken off when the preparation within the ampoule is tobe transferred to a syringe by means of a hypodermic needle insertedwithin the resulting opening.

This type of container is, of course, widely used for medicalpreparations because of the absolute protection against oxidation anddeterioration thereby afforded to its contents under strictly sterileconditions free from contact with air. An ampoule will also insureaccuracy of dosage and supply the physician with a very definite amountof the particular drug therein contained.

However, the necessity of breaking oil the tip of the neck of theampoule, in order to remove the liquid contents, is seriouslyobjectionable on several grounds as it gives rise to diiiiculties and 25occurrences which interfere with the work of the physician and whichfrequently present dangerous possibilities.

Ordinarily the ampoule is opened by producing an annular groove aroundthe neck of the 30 ampoule by means of an ordinary triangular or knifeedged file and then snapping off by hand the portion of the neck beyondthe point weakened by the groove. The glass from which these ampoulesare made varies materially in hardness, strength and thickness. Someamopules are so thin-walled as to make filing very dimcult. Frequently,the pressure exerted by the file against the neck of the ampoule willcause it to shatter into numerous small glass frag- 40 ments which maypenetrate the fingers or fly into the operators eyes. Finger lacerationsare frequent and are a serious menace to the surgeon, scientist or nursewho so often come in contact with serious types of infectious germs. 45Frequently when the neck of the ampoule is shattered or when the edge ofthe file bites too deep, the contents of the ampoule comes in contactwith the file. The file is never sterile; therefore, the contents of theampoule may become contaminated with organisms which may prove a fatalissue. used for filing all kinds of ampoules, containing all types ofchemicals and drugs and this practice may result in the contamination ofone preparation by another, giving occurrence to Usually the same fileis chemical reactions radically altering the properties of a drug.

Let us suppose. for instance, that a file be used in opening an ampouleof sodium iodide solution. The file may come in contact with this 5solution and a small quantity of it may stick and dry upon the surfaceof the file. If an ampoule containing Salvarsan is opened later with thesame file and a small amount of sodium iodide sticking to the surface ofthe file should find its way into the Salvarsan ampoule, the Salvarsanwould be dangerously affected because only an infinitesimal amount ofsodium iodide is suificient to decompose the complex arsenical formulawhich may thereby become 6 highly taxis and poisonous. I believe thisadmixture of chemicals occurs much more frequently than would besupposed and supplies a plausible explanation for many unexplained toxicreactions accompanying intravenous therapy where the drug is injecteddirectly into the blood stream.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a novel andimproved method of producing an annular groove about a tubular glassbody, such as the neck of an ampoule, whereby an even indentation may beproduced by the application of only a light and uniform pressure againstthe ampoule, without danger Qfshattering the glass and without danger ofthe cutting implement breaking through the glass.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved device for openingampoules, making it possible to cut an accurate annular groove aroundthe neck of the ampoule, producing a 85 clean-cut breakage point, whichwhen the tip is broken ofi leaves a smooth even edged surface in theedge of the remaining ampoule neck with no jagged or sharp points.

A further object is to provide a novel and improved device of thecharacter specified, comprising an operating member having a cutting orabrasive edge and means for supporting an ampoule, adjustable withrespect to said member, in order to enable the device to handle withequal ease-ampoules of different diameters and lengths.

A still further object is to provide a device of i the characterspecified, built in very compact form, and adapted to be easily securedonto a table or wall.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will more fullyappear as the description proceeds and will be set forth and claimed inthe appended claims.

Fig. 5 is .a vertical longitudinal section of a 10 device, embodying myinvention, in an alternative form.

The method forming one of the objects of my invention essentiallyconsists in cutting an annular groove ata desired point-along the neckof 16 an ampoule by lightly p'ressing the ampoule against a movingimplement having a cutting or abrasive edge, while supporting the bodyof theampouleinamannerpermittingofitsbeing rotated by hand. while thecutting operation 20 takes place. The ampoule is preferablysupported'only at ornear the rear end. so that its front or neckextension will rest upon the abrasive edge by virtue of its own weight,the pressure applied against the ampoule by the finger as in order torotate the ampoule being suflicient to cause the abrasive edge tobiteinto the neck of the ampoule without cutting through it.

In order to cut the groove at the exact point desired. the bottom of theampoule is made to 80 rest against an adjustable abutment which may forman integral part of the rear end support, if desired.

The cutting implement is preferably in the form of a rapidly rotatingthin disk of abrasive 5 material, of the type widely used, for instance,

in dental surgery. After a groove of the proper depth has been cutaround the neck of the ampoule, the tip end thereof can be insertedthrough an opening of suitable size, and force may be applied againstthe body of the ampoule tending to deflect it from the direction oftheopening, thereby causing a clean-cut break to occurat the grooved point.

Since the ampoule is filled with liquid, the 5 opening through which thetip end of its neck is inserted should be directed upwardly, so thatwhen the tip of the neck is snapped off the body of the ampoule, no partof the liquid contents will be spilled. so The reason why it ispreferable to allow the neck of the ampoule to lightly rest against thecutting edge of the disk or other implement is that the neck of theampoule is generally not exactly circular in shape or exactly coaxialwith 55 the body of the ampoule, so that if the ampoule were sosupported that a deflnite distance were left between its axis and theedge of the cutting implement an uneven cutting might result; thecutting edge might not even touch the surface 60 of the neck of theampoule at certain points and at certain other points it might out toodeeplyinto the glass, enough to cut right through it, an occurrencewhich must'be strictly prevented in order to prevent contamination ofthe When the ampoule is supported only at the rear end its front end caneasily move up and down soas to constantly maintain the surface of theneck in contact with the cutting edge in .70 spite of the irregularityor eccentricity of said surface.

My invention can be embodied in a relatively simple and compact device,a form of which, adgpzed for manual operation, is shown in F18 Thedevice therein illustrated comprises a hollow frame |l, forming achamber closed at the rear by means of a closure member l2, said framehaving a downward and inward gooseneck extension lI. forming with thelower surface It 5 of the frame a recess ll, adapted to. receive theedge of a table top, shown in dot and dash lines at ll. .7

The lower end of gooseneck extension I! is provided with a clampingscrew H, which makes 10 it possible to firmly clamp the device in posi-'tion in a well known manner.

=Closure member is equipped with a rearwardly extending bracket ll,having a substantially horizontal top section I! along which is slidablymounted a v-shaped member 2|, adapted to provide a support for the rearend of the ampoule, such as shown in dot and dash lines at 2|. Saidmember 2| is preferably made integral with a wall 22, verticallyextending from the rear thereof, providing an abutment for the. bottomof the ampoule.

The forward end-of the upper part of the bracket forms with the rearsurface of closure member |2 a pocket or depression 22, providing. as

a clearance space within which is housed an abrasive disk 24, carried bya shaft 25.

Said shaft is rotatably supported by the front wall of frame I! andclosure member l2, which, as stated, forms the rear wall of chamber soThe shaft extends across-said chamber I and projects at the rear beyondclosure member l2, the rear end of said shaft being provided with aclamping nut 28, retaining the abrasive disk in position.

The part of said shaft extending within chamber carries, or is formedintegral with, a pinion portion 21, and also carries a flywheel 2|.

Pinion 21 is driven by means ofa driving gearwheel 22, meshingtherewith, said gearwheel havj 0 ing a diameter considerably greaterthanthat of pinion 21. Gearwheel 29 is carried by a driving shaft ll,rotatably mounted across chamber II, the front end of said shaft 20projecting through the front wall of frame II and carrying or beingformed integral with a crank handle 3|, adapted for manual operation. Itis obvious that when shaft it is rotated, its movement will betransmitted to the abrasive disk at a much greater speed, such as willmake it possible for said disk to operate under the best conditions.

As stated, the supporting member 20 is adjustable along the bracket toand from the abrasive disk, according to the length of the ampoule to becut. For instance, at 22, I show in dot and dash lines, an ampoule whichismuch shorter than ampoule 2|. and which calls for a forwarddisplacement of supporting member 20 from the position shown in fulllines in Fig. 2 to the position shown in dot and dash lines at 20'. w

Ampoules do not vary only in length but also in diameter, as shown insaid Fig. 2, where ampoule 22 has a diameter much smaller than that ofampoule 2|. In all cases the neck of the ampoule should rest upon theabrasive disk, as 5 shown, while the ampoule lies in a substantiallyhorizontal position. This calls for a vertical adjustment of the ampoulesupport, suflicient to coimterbalance the difference in diameter be-'tween the smallest and largest ampoule that the device will be calledupon to handle.

A vertical adjustment of the ampoule support is obtained by providingthe front end of bracket It with a vertically elongated opening 33,

through which is inserted the stem portion of a clamping screw 84,permitting vertical adjustment of the bracket within the limit permittedby the length of said opening 33.

The central line of the bracket coincides with the plane of the axis ofshaft 25 and its proper alignment in all positions is assured bymounting said bracket between two guiding ribs 85, 36, projecting fromthe rear surface of closure member 12, as Fig. 3 clearly shows. A groovecan be cut at the desired point around the neck 31 of the ampoule bylightly pressing the body of the ampoule downwardly with the tip of thefinger, at the same time causing said ampoule to rotate about its ownaxis. The flnger will be applied to the body of the ampoule at the reardirectly above the supporting member 28, so that the front end of theampoule will be urged against the cutting edge of the disk with a forcewhich is very light and easily controllable, just suflicient to causethe abrasive disk to gradually cut into the glass in a uniform mannerwithout breaking through it.

The rotation of the disk naturally tends to laterally displace the neckof the ampoule contacting therewith, therefore, it is necessary torestrain the ampoule against such movement by maintaining it with itsaxis in a common plane with the axis of shaft 25. To this end, I providethe part of closure member l2 immediately above shaft 25 with twolaterally spaced walls 38, 39, defining a central clearance space 48,within which the tip end of the ampoule projects when the ampoule is inthe proper groove cutting position, as shown in Fig. 2.

In view of the fact that not only the bodies of the ampoules but alsotheir neck portions are of different diameters, I prefer to make theclearance space 48 between walls 38, 39, adjustable to suit ampoulenecks of various diameters, and to this end, I make each of said walls38,

39, integral with a base flange, such as shown at H. 42, in Fig. 3,provided with a horizontal slot 43, through which is inserted the stemof a clamping screw 44, cooperating with said slot in permitting lateraladjustment of said walls 38, 39.

After the groove has been cut in the neck of the ampoule to the properdepth it is desirable to quickly stop the movement of the abrasive diskand to this end I provide the device with a push button brake, such asshown at 45, adapted to press against the surface of flywheel 28, saidbrake being normally held out of contact with said flywheel by a spring46.

After the groove has been cut the tip of the ampoule can be snapped offby hand, but preferably I provide the rear end of bracket l8 with aseries of openings 41, of various diameters, adapted to receive andretain the tip end of an ampoule, while the ampoule is deflecteddownwardly to cause the tip end of its neck to snap oil, as shown in dotand dash lines at 2| in Fig. 2

An abrasive disk made of any suitable abrasive material will last a verylong time, and by providing the frame with an enclosure, such as shownat 48, normally sealed by a cover 43, I make it possible to store withinthe device enough abrasive wheels for replacement purposes to insureseveral years of uninterrupted service.

Although the device is shown as being provided with means for clampingit onto a table top, it is obvious that by suitably modifying the Thesupporting member 28 is preferably mounted in a manner enabling it to bequickly shifted along bracket member l8 and to be automatically retainedagainst displacement from any position in which it may be set. A simpleand suitable arrangement is shown in Fig. 4,

where it is seen that the supporting member 20 is frictionally held inposition along member IQ of bracket l8 by a deformable spring 50, urgingsaid member 28 downwardly against the surface of member l3 whilepermitting sliding move ment of said member 28 along member l8.

If desired, the mechanism can be electrically instead of manuallyoperated. For instance, in Fig. 5 I show a similar device in which theshaft 5|, carrying the abrasive disk 52, and formed with a pinionsection 53, is driven by the pinion 54 of an electric motor 55, throughthe intermediary of an idler wheel 56. The electric motor can beconnected to any wall socket by means of a plug 81, attached to the endof a flexible connection 58 in the usual manner.

The device shown in Fig. 5 exemplifies the previously mentionedpossibility of attaching it to a wall the frame 59 of the device beingformed, as shown, with a vertical base flange 68, provided with screwholes 8|.

If desired, the electrically operated device shown in Fig. 5 also can'beequipped with braktages which make'it an important addition to theequipment of a physician's oflice. The device makes it possible toquickly. open ampoules of all sizes, saving considerable time. This isimportant not only because the machine can accomplish in a few seconds aresult which generally requires a few minutes by present methods, butalso because at times the saving of minutes may be a matter of life ordeath. The device provides a clean-cut line of breakage and eliminatesthe possibility of crushing the ampoule and scattering flying glassfragments. It eliminates the loss of costly ampoules due to frequentbreakage while opening. Some ampoules cost as much as flve dollars each.

In addition, the use of the device insures the contents of the ampouleagainst contamination by infectious germs and also against thepossibility of harmful chemical reactions taking place.

The device is professional in appearance and enhances the prestige ofthe physician and of his oiflce equipment.

It is also possible to make the device so that it can be used for notonly cutting glass ampoules but also glass tubing. For instance, in Fig.5 the top of the frame 59 is shown at a level lower than that of theupper part of the abrasive disk, so that there are no obstructions inthe path of a length of tubing projecting beyond the abrasive disk to amaterial extent.

Many constructional details of my device may vary from those shownwithout departing from the inventive idea. The drawings should,therefore, be understood as being intended for illustrative purposesonlyand not in a limiting sense.

I, accordingly, reserve the right to carry my invention into practice inall those ways and manaxis.

ners which may enter, fairly, into the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The method of cutting an annular groove about the neck of an ampouleserving as a container for a chemical P tion tor the purpose of openingsaid ampoule, which consists in placingtheampouleinahorisontalpositionwhile supporting the rear end only of the body of the ampoule,resting the neck'portion against a rotating continuous abrasive edge,confining the ampoule against bodily movement in a direction laterallythereof while permitting movement in avertical direction, exerting alight pressure on the supported end of the ampoule body andsimultaneously rotating said ampoule about its own 2. The method ofcutting an annular groove about the neck of an ampoule serving as acontainer for a chemical preparation for the purpose of opening saidampoule, which consists in placing the ampoule in a, i ntal positionwhile supporting the rear end yet the body of the ampoule, resting theneck portion against s. rotating continuous abrasive edge, confining theampoule against bodily movement in a direction laterally thereof whilepermitting movement in a vertical direction, exerting a light pressureon the supported end of the ampoule body while rotating said ampouleabout its own axis, at the same time maintaining the ampoule with itsaxis in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of said edge.

3. An ampoule cutting device comprising a frame, a. disk having anabrasive edge revolubly mounted on said frame, a bracket carried by saidframe adjustable to and from the axis of said disk, an ampoule bodysupport adjustable upon said bracket to and from the plane of said diskin a direction at right angles to said plane and so positionable withrelation to said disk that an ampoule with the rear end of its bodyportion placed on said support would have its neck extended in contactwith said disk and projecting amassbeyondsaiddishsaidsnpportbeingsoconstructed ssto prevent substantiallateral movement in a directiontsngential'totheedgeofthediskofanampoulemmmtedthereonandpermittingmoveaegtofsaidampouielnadirctiontoandfrom-'4.Anampm1l ecuttingdevicecomprisinga i'ramem disk having an abrasiveedge revolubly mountedonsaidfrsme,abracketcarrledbyssid frame adiustableto and from the axis of said disk. an ampoule body support adjustableupon saidbrackettoandfromtheplaneofsaiddiskinadirectionatrishtangiestossidplaneandsopositionablewithrelationtosaiddiskthatan ampoule with the rear end ofits body portion placed on said support would have its neckextendedincontactwlthsaiddiskandproiecting beyond said disk, saidsupport being so constructed as to prevent substantial lateral movementin a directiontangentiaitotheedgeofthediskofan ampoule mounted thereonand permitting movement of said ampoule in a direction to and from saiddisk, and additional means for limiting the lateral movement of the tipof said ampoule, said means positioned adjacent the side of the disk 25opposite to that of the support.

. 5. An ampoule cutting device comprising a frame, a disk having anabrasive edge revolubly mounted on said frame, a bracket carried by saidframe adiustable to and from the axis of said disk, a V-shaped ampoulebody support diustable upon said bracket to and from the plane of saiddisk in a direction at right angles to said plane and so positionablewith relation to said disk that an ampoule with the rear end of its bodyportion placed on said support would have its neck extended in contactwith said disk and projecting beyond said disk, said V-shapedsupfromsaid disk.

RALPH E. MAXWELL.

